Women With PCOS Hospitalized More Often For Many Health Conditions

(HealthDay News) — Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at increased risk for a number of serious health problems, according to research published online December 22 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Researchers analyzed data from 2,566 Australian women. They were aged ≥15, and all had been diagnosed with PCOS between 1997–2011.

The researchers found that, compared to those without the condition, women with PCOS had a higher risk of hospitalization. Conditions included heart disease; diabetes; asthma; musculoskeletal disorders; and mental health conditions such as depression, stress, and anxiety. Women with PCOS were also more likely to have gynecological issues, including miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, irregular menstrual periods, and endometriosis. They were also found to be more likely to have endometrial cancer.

"PCOS has profound implications for a women's reproductive health, as well as her long-term risk of chronic illness," study author Roger Hart, MD, of the University of Western Australia and Fertility Specialists of Western Australia, both in Perth, said in a journal news release. "Our study indicates women who have PCOS have twice as many hospital admissions as women without the condition. Additional health care resources should be directed to address the risks facing this population."